What do you say to that ?" and in his elation the little man puffed out his chest and pursing up his lips, blew through them, making a sound like that of wind among wires.
"I don't know, Mr.Haswell.If we are all alive I would prefer to answer the question twelve months hence, or later, when we see whether the company is going to be a practical success as well, or not." Again Mr.Haswell made the sound of wind among wires, only this time there was a shriller note in it; its mellowness was gone, it was as though the air had suddenly been filled with frost.
"A practical success!" he repeated after him.

"That is scarcely our affair, is it?
Promoters should not bother themselves with long views, Alan.

These may be left to the investing public, the speculative parson and the maiden lady who likes a flutter--those props of modern enterprise.

But what do you mean?
You originated this idea and always said that the profits should be great." "Yes, Mr.Haswell, on a moderate capitalization and provided that we are sure of the co-operation of the Porte." Mr.Haswell looked at him very searchingly and Sir Robert, who had been listening, said in his cold voice: "I think that we thrashed out these points long ago, and to tell you the truth I am rather tired of them, especially as it is too late to change anything.

How did you get on with Jackson, Vernon ?" "I did not get on at all, Sir Robert.